USCG report – DRAIN, Ore. – On Wednesday, February 27, 2019, in coordination with Douglas County Search and Rescue, the United States Coast Guard North Bend Station rescued a man who had been stranded in the snow for several days. 73 year-old Lloyd Cline, a watchman working as security watch for Double S Logging, became stranded in the Elk Creek area off Upper Smith River Road due to the snow. Rescue efforts were attempted Monday and Tuesday, however hazards and severe weather hampered rescuers from reaching Mr. Cline. Air assets could not be utilized due to limited visibility and heavy snow falling. Douglas County Search and Rescue notified the Oregon State Search and Rescue coordinator of the rescue mission. On Wednesday, SAR ground search personnel were again attempting to make their way to Mr. Cline’s location. A brief break in the weather provided a window for a helicopter rescue attempt. The Oregon State SAR coordinator along with Oregon Office of Emergency Management coordinated a helicopter rescue with the U.S. Coast Guard station in North Bend. The flight crew flew to Cline’s location and was able to successfully rescue him. Cline was flown to River Bend hospital for treatment.
